Want to own a baseball team? Republican only, please. No Democrats need apply.

Samarkand · Jul 6, 2005

A group headed by George Soros and Jonathan Ledecky are in the running, but not the favorites, to buy the Washington Nationals. In an incredible reach into business and the regulating of it, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) has issued thinly veiled threats that Soros and Co. better not win or proceed much further because Soros is not a Republican.

"I think Major League Baseball understands the stakes, I don't think they want to get involved in a political fight. I don't think it's the Nats that get hurt. I think it's Major League Baseball that gets hurt. They enjoy all sorts of exemptions."
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So unless you are a convicted felon and Republican (Nixon) supporter, like Stienbrenner, or George W Bush another good ol' Republican boy, or naturalized American and Republican-supporting Murdoch well, hell unless you are just about any shade of Republican, you can own a team. If you're a Democrat, then the Republicans will stomp on you via the might of Congress.

So Republican are now imposing their thinking and beliefs on the business community? Hmmmmmm......

Full story here.

Matt in the Hat · Jul 6, 2005

Last I remember, Bud Selig was comissioner, not Rep. Davis

BenReilly · Jul 6, 2005

Some background info on Malek:

During the summer of 1971 the United States was in a recession. Richard Nixon, like any president in that situation, was trying to control public perception of the nation's economic problems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is the federal agency that tracks unemployment, released disheartening numbers. Nixon administration officials called the numbers "heartening." At the same time, Harold Goldstein, who was at the time the director of current employment analysis at the bureau, told the press that the numbers were "mixed."

Nixon thought that a "Jewish cabal" in the Bureau of Labor Statistics was trying to undermine his administration. He ordered his director of personnel, a former executive with Marriott Corp. and Northwest Airlines named Fred Malek, to find out how many of the top officials of the bureau were Jewish. The personnel chief followed orders. He prepared a memo dated July 27, 1971, that informed the President that 13 of the top 35 people in the bureau were Jewish, and named them. By the end of 1971 Goldstein and another official on the list were transferred out of the bureau.
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http://www.pd.org/topos/perforations/perf2/malek.html

Ian McCracken · Jul 6, 2005

Samarkand said:

So unless you are a convicted felon...
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Soros is a convicted felon, too. That being said, the Republicans who made these comments and threats are way out of line on this issue.

nicephoras · Jul 6, 2005

Ian McCracken said:

Soros is a convicted felon, too. That being said, the Republicans who made these comments and threats are way out of line on this issue.
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Ian, are you feeling OK?

yellowbismark · Jul 6, 2005

Padres owner John Moores is a significant financial donor to the Democrat Party.

Samarkand · Jul 6, 2005

Ian McCracken said:

Soros is a convicted felon, too.
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In France, not the USA I believe.........

But this gets better......Davis, who based on these comments is getting up there with Bob B1 Dornan has said about Soros that he's really not the type of person "we need or want in the nation's capital." Also, Davis called Soros "a convicted felon" and "pro-marijuana." Soros favors the decriminalization of marijuana, and clean needle programs, as a way to combat drug use.

"You've got a league with a steroid problem, and you're going to sell the team to a guy who is pro marijuana? I just don't think we need or want that in the nation's capital. I just don't think you want such a polarizing figure."

According to Davis Soros is also an "out of towner. I mean, to me, Soros is the guy who has so much money and wants to buy the world, I mean that's not what baseball's about. This is above all a fan sport. This is the Nationals, and they're going to give it to some multinational?"

And then Davis really hits Soros where it hurts with "I don't think I'll be getting good season tickets if he gets the team." Wow.....

Amazing...............

Dan Loney · Jul 6, 2005

Dumbass Congressman said:

"You've got a league with a steroid problem, and you're going to sell the team to a guy who is pro marijuana? I just don't think we need or want that in the nation's capital. I just don't think you want such a polarizing figure."
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George Steinbrenner, your thoughts?

Maybe Soros will be so pissed off, he'll buy into MLS.

Dr Jay · Jul 6, 2005

Samarkand said:

A group headed by George Soros and Jonathan Ledecky .
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I knew Jon Ledecky in college. Very smart, very principled and very liberal. I don't know about his politics now...I do know about his wallet. He's loaded. Too bad he isn't interested in buying DC United.

Ray Luca · Jul 6, 2005

Baseball no way Jose, but soccer is another story. Hell yes we should own a soccer team.

skipshady · Jul 6, 2005

Samarkand said:

... Murdoch is also an "out of towner. I mean, to me, Murdoch is the guy who has so much money and wants to buy the world, I mean that's not what baseball's about. This is above all a fan sport. This is the Nationals, and they're going to give it to some multinational?"
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Fixed Davis' quote.

One could also have inserted Hiroshi Yamauchi's name in there, but he's not really a "multinational".

DynamoKiev_USA · Jul 6, 2005

Can't believe he represents a NoVa district.

Barbara · Jul 6, 2005

Dan Loney said:

George Steinbrenner, your thoughts?

Maybe Soros will be so pissed off, he'll buy into MLS.
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You know that he was one of the original investors, right? He was part of the group that owned DC United.

But I'm guessing you already knew that.

Dan Loney · Jul 6, 2005

Barbara said:

You know that he was one of the original investors, right? He was part of the group that owned DC United.

But I'm guessing you already knew that.
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I'm ashen-faced with embarrassment. Just the other day I was trying to remember the original owners, and drawing a blank with DC. I can't believe I remembered Stuart effin' Subotnick, and Danny Villanueva, but punted Soros.

Scarecrow · Jul 6, 2005

Isn't Soros the guy who was taking out full page ads against Bush in the last election? He made himself an enemy of the party by his actions so why is anyone surprised that some Reeps would jump at a chance to prevent him from buying the team or make his life a bit uncomfortable?

I am not condoning any actions, just pointing out that if you piss people off it has a way of coming back on you.

IntheNet · Jul 6, 2005

scarecrow19d said:

Isn't Soros the guy who was taking out full page ads against Bush in the last election?
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Yes, unsuccessfully so!!!

Soros' Drug Pushing record is illustrated and detailed here:

The Record: Why You Don't Want to Take George Soros' Money
http://www.larouchepub.com/pr/2003/031028soros_money.html

While I am not in the habit of citing a Larouche site for reference matter, this site details George Soros' background more than most!

And since I hate the Nationals anyway for ruining RFK Stadium, it wouldn't matter if Soros bought the Washington Nationals; it would just give me and additional reason to hate them!

DynamoKiev_USA · Jul 6, 2005

LaRouche

maturin · Jul 6, 2005

Whatever happened to Republicans wanting government to stay out of business? These crazy neo-cons are not even Republicans anymore. If real Republicans like Specter and McCain ever get some courage, we could see a party schism, especially with the potential divides the Supreme Court nomination could create.

Mikeshi · Jul 6, 2005

blackjack said:

Whatever happened to Republicans wanting government to stay out of business? These crazy neo-cons are not even Republicans anymore. If real Republicans like Specter and McCain ever get some courage, we could see a party schism, especially with the potential divides the Supreme Court nomination could create.
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They weren't in power then.

Ian McCracken · Jul 7, 2005

blackjack said:

If real Republicans like Specter...
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I stopped reading here.

dj43 · Jul 7, 2005

blackjack said:

Whatever happened to Republicans wanting government to stay out of business? These crazy neo-cons are not even Republicans anymore.
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You are correct. Today's Republicans are more like Democrats of the '70s.

If real Republicans like Specter and McCain ever get some courage, we could see a party schism, especially with the potential divides the Supreme Court nomination could create.
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These guys are more like Democrats than Republicans. Neither one will get a gold-embossed invite to the dance.

dj43 · Jul 7, 2005

Is Soros a US citizen?

skipshady · Jul 7, 2005

dj43 said:

Is Soros a US citizen?
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Naturalized in 1961, iinm.

spejic · Jul 7, 2005

IntheNet said:

Yes, unsuccessfully so!!!
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Good thing you told us. I was wondering how that whole thing turned out.

Samarkand · Jul 7, 2005

scarecrow19d said:

Isn't Soros the guy who was taking out full page ads against Bush in the last election? He made himself an enemy of the party by his actions so why is anyone surprised that some Reeps would jump at a chance to prevent him from buying the team or make his life a bit uncomfortable?

I am not condoning any actions, just pointing out that if you piss people off it has a way of coming back on you.
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And you don't find it the slighest bit chilling that you have to mind your Ps and Qs around the party in power lest they stymie you in business, financially and so forth? And minding your Ps and Qs involves NOT doing what's legally permissible, lest you offend the powerful and wealthy? What's next? Criticize the party in power and you get fined? Or jailed?

These warnings by Davis and Sweeney, essentially, Don't criticize us or we won't let you do business, are worthy of tinpot, jumped-up, bullyboy politicians in 3rd world dictatorships.